How do you guys do it???

[yammy644]

I make the same promise to myself every season that I won't charge anything!!

I bought my house in 2000 and back then I just did a couple track days a year. I work a full time job that pays the bills and I bartend two nights during the week to pay for racing costs. I also dedicate most of my tax returns to entry fees. I have a great girlfriend who not only supports my racing, but she also buys all the food and drinks for the weekend...

Racing definitely cuts into house maintenance time and money and with working two jobs it's tough to work on anything other than the bike and trailer. A new roof would be nice, but then I may have to miss a race

[bdawkins20]

Its interesting to hear all the stories. I too have made a lot of mistakes buying a house at the tip top of the bubble, a truck, cobra, streetbike, race bike. There are so many projects I want to do around the house but nothing beats the smile that racing smacks on your face. Its always good to do things in moderation and thank god this only goes on for about half the year.

[CEO]

Moved home.

Pour all the $ I have (and some I don't) into the addiction and supporting faculties (truck, tools, etc)

Wouldn't trade it for anything.

[noudidnt]

I have a question for all the "live at home" crowd. At the point that you are going to move out and get an apartment will you give up track days?
Not trying to be a jerk, just trying to gauge the reality of it. I have a pretty good job, a few hobbies, rent and a dependable car, but still would not be able to piece together more than 2 weekends a year. And that is just not enough riding time.

[smf]

Dont forget Gino only races 1 race per weekend and cornerworks the rest. That gets him in for free, free food Sat night, and probably breaks almost even with race entry. All the Bridgestone money he gets, he must trade for cash since he uses the same damn set of tires all season!!

true on all counts. gino is an excellent example of how to race on-the-cheap, however he (and you) are not taking into consideration all expenses... another forgotten example of this: he had his hawk's chassis set-up by kates winter 07, custom triples, geometry setup, etc, I'd be willing to bet this wasn't free. it sure as hell is a racing expense though

["Dangerous" Dan K]

Granted I'm new, and racing the cheapest bike there is, the EX500, but here's how it's gone for me.

Start off with a decent chunk of disposable income. Burn it all. Spend every available dollar. Run out of time/money for other hobbies. Quite the National MTB Patrol. Give up on finishing the sailboat, and consider selling it. Put the cafe project on hold. Develop a taste for Ramen. Don't fix broken truck due to lack of funds. Pray that now that most of the big expenses are handled it'll get cheaper. Wack helmet, need another helmet. Wonder if it will ever get cheaper.

I haven't lost the house yet though, and the mortgage is still getting paid, so I'm OK I guess. Certainly wouldn't trade it

[burnham]

A new job this year and a new roof going on the house ($12,000 ) means I don't have much money for racing this year. My pay will go up over the next year and I think I'm going to start to get back into side work, so next year should be a lot better. No racing on credit.

If I go up and practice on Friday, buy tires, and run three races I spend an average of $1000 each weekend.

[Pittenger5]

I have a question for all the "live at home" crowd. At the point that you are going to move out and get an apartment will you give up track days?

I wouldnt give up track days, but racing almost certainly. On my salary right now I couldnt afford to move out and race at the same time. If time comes to move out Ill switch to track days and still manage a few of them a year.

[lrrs699]

shit, at this point i wished i still lived at home, it would add an hour onto my drive to the track but i would bank sooo much more money, rent and bills suck

[Doc]

I have a question for all the "live at home" crowd. At what point are you going to grow up, move out and get an apartment?.

I lived with my Dad until I was 25 (After doing 3 years on active duty after highschool)

["Dangerous" Dan K]

shit, at this point i wished i still lived at home, it would add an hour onto my drive to the track but i would bank sooo much more money, rent and bills suck

Anyone want a SCREAMIN deal on a house in Dover? No realtor fees, no bullshit, just take it so I can stop paying a mortgage on a place I dont need, dont stay at much, and dont want to pay for anymore? $1000 off if you keep my ex with it, will sell it either way. I'd be happy to move back w/ the rents or back on a boat and drop the mortgage.

[LaRNZ]

i jus bought my house and i own a bike, im lucky to have the bike, if i mentioned racing id be sleeping in the shed with the bike, which mite not be so bad...

[Doc]

i jus bought my house and i own a bike, im lucky to have the bike, if i mentioned racing id be sleeping in the shed with the bike, which mite not be so bad...

So that isn't you in the avatar?

[The Snowman]

I have a new daybed in my cellar den. Anyone want to move in for rent $$$ so I can start racing?


edit: Since I spend so much time on the road, you wouldn't have to put up with my sorry ass.

[LaRNZ]

So that isn't you in the avatar?

dont blow my cover!!!

[maat]

Funny, I used to think all you guys were just loaded.

[Paul_E_D]

That would be the car racers...

[brewmaster]

Funny, I used to think all you guys were just loaded.

Well sometimes we are...usually not until after 8 pm though!

[kb1]

Well sometimes we are...usually not until after 8 pm though!

[DerekSBelanger]

Every cent I spend on motorcycles is from a small cash budget that comes from money I make outside my salary (side jobs, ebay, etc). To make it work I spend as little as possible on the bike and equipment and that leaves more money for actually getting on track. My budget this year is about $2k and I'll get on track about eight times. Crashing costs money, so I try to avoid it. If you're trying to win races, that can get expensive too. Just having fun on the track doesn’t actually cost that much.

[Doc]

To make it work I spend as little as possible on the bike and equipment and that leaves more money for actually getting on track.

That is why his bike is PINK...

[Trouble]

OK, naive question:

Don't track days cost much more than racing? If I do two track days I'm out over $500 ($400 track days, $100 fuel, $40 food) plus the lost work time (not including wear and tare on the bike, tires, etc). If/when I'm get into racing I don't miss any time at work (I work mon-thurs) and, depending on the number of races I enter, I think my admission costs are less.

What am I missing? I'm not trying to say that racing is cheap, I just want a better grasp of what I'm getting into finacially.

[Kurlon]

I do 3 sprints and a GT each weekend, $310 if I don't pre-register.
$25 gate fee

That covers my track time, I still need to:
Eat
Gas to get there and back

I also need to pay $120 each year for this privilege.

My 4 race entries get me 4 10 minute practice sessions, 3 8 lap mains (12 to 13 minutes each, I'm slow), and one 20 minute GT. You get more track time, plus instruction at a track day, plus lunch depending on whose you attend, and it's all in one day so you can really string things together and make big progress.

So I'd say racing is more expensive if you're just looking for track time. Add in the much lower risk of track incidents, as wella s not having to spend on race-i-fying your street bike for the track, and track days look cheaper and cheaper.

[Paul_E_D]

Racing is FAAARRRR more expensive than trackdays in terms of $ per lap. It also eats consumables at an alarming rate. Things like helmets, leathers, boots, tires, motors, bodywork etc. all become consumables. Trackday riders usually think of gas and tires.

Broken bodyparts can get expensive, too depending on your situation. There's just no comparison. 5 trackdays would givve you more laps that a season of racing and would cost less than 2K

[finao]

I'm trying to butter her up for an MV Agusta Brutale (why would I F(*&(*& that up for a race day?)[/QUOTE]

I have an 06 910S with about 2,000 miles. That I would consider selling. Arrow shorty, Scotts Streering dampner, Power Commander. Sweet bike! never been down. I love the bike it is a beauty to look at and a beast to ride. I just prefer the track and the Brutale simply sits looking pretty in the garage. maybe would could discuss. Joel